Costs of owning a plane
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The Lycoming problem isn't whether the fuel flow into the inlet manifold is continuous or pulsed. It is caused by a) the AIR flow not being the same to different cylinders and b) the fuel injectors being made to excessively wide tolerances.
For decades few people cared, because in the USA fuel is cheap and the USA is the only market of relevance. Now people (even Americans) are looking more closely at engine management generally. This is made possible only through monitoring individual cylinders with a unit like the JPI. Without one of those fitted, one cannot order the injectors to start with.
I had a K-jetronic in an XR3i in the 1980s
For decades few people cared, because in the USA fuel is cheap and the USA is the only market of relevance. Now people (even Americans) are looking more closely at engine management generally. This is made possible only through monitoring individual cylinders with a unit like the JPI. Without one of those fitted, one cannot order the injectors to start with.
I had a K-jetronic in an XR3i in the 1980s
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Like a lot of aviation magazine articles, that Flyer article was written by somebody with no direct knowledge but sadly a lot of people read it.
. I would be suprised if a prepared article running as a virtual advert for GAMI was incorrect.
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I would be suprised if a prepared article running as a virtual advert for GAMI was incorrect.
Makes you wonder!
IO540,
Agree about the air cooling problems - imagine what happens when you have 4-6 different size (because of inconsistent cooling)pistons all blazing away at the same time... nasty!
The mini-turboprops are coming - ceramic one piece rotors, allowing higher temps & increased efficency. Since as you say, Jet A1 is far cheaper in the UK (and Ireland as well), I'd be willing to install a turboprop just for the hugely increased reliability. That said, the high SFC (0.46 I believe as compared to 0.35 for the Thielert diesel) is a problem, but proper FADEC will level the playing field.
Count on seeing the TwinStar and others with cheapish mini TP's (130hp) in the next few years. The engines are already in the process of being certified - don't have the information to hand at the moment though.
Yes, seems that every Flyer/TP/Pilot article has an ad on the next page advertising exactly the product/aircraft/service the article was enthusing about so much.
G
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Its says it uses Jet-A is this the same as Jet-A1?
The TwinStar essentially makes everything else in its class obsolete - and expect it to get better. The most amazing fact is the extremely long range capability - up to 20hrs endurance @ 29% power @ 90kts. That said, the engines and airframe are equally as unbelievable.
Interesting, it's marketed as competing with the high power singles even though its performance outclasses most twins.
Tht said, delivery dates for TwinStars have constantly slipped and there are rumours abounding about spec changes etc. Hope Diamond hasn't overstepped the mark.
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Confabulous
I don't think the piston size matters that much. It will vary with temperature of course, but only by a few thou. As a % that cannot be significant. It will affect friction but only if the piston has expanded to the point where it is sticking, and then CHT will immediately rocket and the whole thing will seize up. Also the cylinder head will expand with the piston, to a degree.
The uneven power distribution comes from uneven intake of fuel and air.
GtE is right about advert salesmen. They do exactly that (try to link advertising to an editorial feature) and I get that all day long here.
The DA42 is a great plane and I am sure they will do extremely well - when they sort out the reliability on the Thielert diesel.
I don't think the piston size matters that much. It will vary with temperature of course, but only by a few thou. As a % that cannot be significant. It will affect friction but only if the piston has expanded to the point where it is sticking, and then CHT will immediately rocket and the whole thing will seize up. Also the cylinder head will expand with the piston, to a degree.
The uneven power distribution comes from uneven intake of fuel and air.
GtE is right about advert salesmen. They do exactly that (try to link advertising to an editorial feature) and I get that all day long here.
The DA42 is a great plane and I am sure they will do extremely well - when they sort out the reliability on the Thielert diesel.
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In response to a question from Genghis regarding my type of flying, well I just want to be up there, I’d mainly operate in my local area (the SW peninsula). The sort of microlight that catches my eye for example is the Thruster TST/Minimax and similar or flex-wings like Pegasus/Flash II. A homebuilt would be better as I wouldn’t need to do a conversion, would love a Nipper but doesn’t suit my budget (~£4K). Being single seat is not a problem as I don’t mind being alone up there (selfish?). May take a bit of convincing the partner though, Wedding or A/C, Mmm...
Any way thanks for your suggestions.
Any way thanks for your suggestions.
